Romans 5:5 And this hope will never
disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave
us His love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.
Have you ever
poured out love, compassion and much energy into someone, only to have them
disregard what you are doing for them? Many years ago, I poured energy into a
friendship. I loved hanging with my friend. She had good morals and she was fun to
hang out with. We would often get together a few times a week. Our young
children at that time would play. We would even talk often on the phone. One
day while at a Bible Study together we were all answering a question on having
that Best friends. There were varied answers: yes I have a good, best friend, I
have several friends that I do different things with; to I am new in this area.
My “best friend” said, "I have a friend who I love to hang out with. Not a day
goes by that I don’t hang out with or talk to her on the phone".....sounds great huh? Well, she wasn’t
referring to me. The disappointment I
felt was crushing my spirit. I didn’t even know this new “best friend” and I had
shared my heart and soul with someone who I thought had mutual feelings towards
me.
I have learned
a lot since that time. I have sat back, developed a satisfying relationship
with my husband. Raised my children to adulthood and teens years. Started a non
profit. Along the way a good friend has fallen into my lap…something I wouldn’t have
orchestrated on my own. But when my children were younger, my husband was
working to support us, and I was lonely. I have done some growing up over the
years. I am not the same person I was in many ways.
I think of
the lonely children in foster care. These children get picked on at school.
Teachers don’t even know what to do with “them”. These children are living with
parents who are telling them their very existence doesn’t matter. Who will tell them the truth? Their very life
matters, and what would it mean to them to hear that….? More than telling we
need to show them they matter. God cares even more than we do. He has given us
tools to love beyond anything we could ever ask or imagine. Because His Holy
Spirit is at work inside us, we can show these children what love feels like.
Showing love to a child who has never felt it will not be
easy. In fact, they are quite used to feeling unloved, ashamed and
worthless. Giving them a time out is actually comforting to them. Step by step, they will try
to push you away. When all they are screaming on the inside for is more. More
love, more acceptance, more compassion, more nuture and more of a healthy attachment. They are wondering what they could possibly do to make
you stop loving them. What they want to know from you is…nothing will ever
separate them from your love. You have the tools. There are resources
available. Love them and see them with Jesus eyes. Replenish the knowledge in your
hearts that God loves you. So you can show that to the children whom God has
entrusted into your care. It won’t always be easy. But they are worth every
second you have chosen to invest in them.
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